The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-23

10 the boy, VINO at once Tell III love WITH the
Old gentleman.
Gentle reader, you have often seen those
calm, masculine faces that reveal a nature
made of manly courage and w0manly ten
derness. Mr.. Morriss possessed one of those
faces.
Papa, this young gentleman is one of
Charles college associates" said Pauline,
introducing Virgil to her father. He is
Mr.. Paine, and it is in his behalf that am
here. You announced this morning your
purpose to advertise for a young man to
I'LL the vacancy caused by the resignation Of
Mr.. Crunp, and if you have not given the
place to some one who may have called in
during the morning, | wish YOU TO give the
situation to Mr. Paine He is a most exem-
plary young man. she said smiling archly,
'and for recommendations l refer you to
Charlie.n
Mr.. Morl'iss made no reply, but regarded
the boy in perplexed silence. There was
something about Virgil that revived memo
ries of the tobacconist'S early manhood
something in the noble, youthful face that
brought to his mind the face OF one he had
known and loved as brother in the happy
long ago"
Paine Painer said the gentleman, at
length, looking the boy steadily in the face.
How do you spell your name, my son9
Payne or P-a-i-n-eN
"P-a-i-n-e, sir"
- our fathers name"
"My father was named Frank Randolph
Paine, sir"
A soft, tender expression came over Mr.
Norris face. He approached Virgil, and
laying his hand upon the youths head,
gazed long and tenderly Into his counter
ance.
And you are Franks son! Yes, yes
your face corroborates your words, said the
tobacconiSt You are just like your
father. Indeed it seems as if Frank, in the
vigor and beauty of young manhood, were
standing before me. Ny boy, loved your
father once as dearly as | did my own
brother Indeed. had my love been tested,
it would have been hard to decide which oc
cupied the larger place in my affections
Edmund or Frank We began our course at
the university at the same time, and grad
uated from that institution the same session.
We were seldom apart. We were often
called Damon and Pythias, and sometimes
the Siamese twins. We even spent our va
cations together ] would spend one sum-
mer at the Paine homestead in Culpeper
county-Fern Spring, | think, the place was
called, on account of the number CT springs
upon the farm, and the exuberant growth
of ferns to be found in the vicinity of each
spring. The following vacation your father
would pass at the NORRIS homestead in
Louisa county Alabama. But friendship
my son, never imbeds its roots so deeply into
the human heart that it cannot be uprOoted
The very summer after our graduation we
had a misunderstanding cause of which
/ shall not here explain-and to settle the
difficulty, as we thought it became true
Virginians, we repaired to the so-called
field of honor. We were both slightly
wounded. We were taken to our respective
homes, and from that unlucky day to this
now almost tweEty-six yeaFs-I have never
laid my eyes upon your fathers face"
A look of pain passed over the speakers
countenance.
did your father ever speak of mep' he
asked, abruptly.
Never in my presence, sir"
The tobacconist drew heavy sigh and
then inquired:
How many children did your father
leaveg
(Mr. Morriss had learned from the pa
pers of Mr.. Paines death)
1.-TWO, sir answered Virgil ga little
boy, now in his 18th year. and myse f."
Then he left no children by his first
marriagep
mo sir; he had none by his first wife"
That's So" said Mr.. Morriss, somewhat
confused. Miriam Maynard died within
six months after her marriage"
AS he uttered the name a strange pallor
swept all color from his face, and, turning,
he walked to one of the windows. Presently
he came back, and, having regained his
composure, said kindly and playfully.
"And you want a situation: Well, you
shall have one l have sent an advertise
ment to the newspaper, but l viii call at the
Office on my way to dinner and withdraw
if. Come to the Office tomorrow morn
ing
"Oh, Mr. NORRIS, how can I thank you
and your daughter sufficiently for all this
disinterested kindness" exclaimed Virgil
'Never mind the thanks. 1t does me
good to befriend poor Franks boy; Come
with me, my son, ana | will introduce you
to the men who are 80 be your associates in
this establishment"
Virgil again thanked Pauline for the in
terest she had manifested in his behalf, and
courteously bowling, accompanied her father
into the next apartment
Young genuleinen,n said Mr. Morriss, as
he and the youth paused in the centre of the
office, this young gentleman is Master Vir-
gil Paine, a son Of an old friend of mine,
and he is to ill Mr.. Crumps place. How
old are you, Virgilf
Eighteen, sir
Eighteen" repeated Mr. Morriss, in a
loud, distinct voice. "Only IS years of
age! Did you hear, young gentlemenf A
mere boy and as yet interrupted and mex
perienced! Remembering this, hope you
-yOu WIZ arc OiuCl III Jcotlo anu cAptll
ence-will set a bright. noble example, and
attempt in no way to blight his young man
hood and here Mr. Morriss introduced
Virgil TO the young men in the office.
Virgil was pleased with Mr.. Price and
Mr.. Walker; but as Mr.. Brown approached
him feeling of intense disgust came over
him; for Brown belonged 60 that class of
men that all sensible people dislike. Gen
tie reader, he was dandy, or, as he would
be called in these times, ''dude."
=
After taking leave of Mr.. Morriss and his
daughter Virgil directed his steps home
ward. eager to communicate to his mother
the good fortune that had at last come in
answer to their prayers. 1t requires but
little sunlight to Danish the clouds from the
horizon of youth. An hour ago the world
seemed dark and dreary to Virgil; now it
was full of of light and beauty. His sue
cess impaired elasticity to his step and an
expression of hopefulneSs to his counten-
ance. His faith in God, which had suffered
greatly from repeated disappointment, now
rallied stronger than ever, and from the
depths of his grateful heart he repented of
his faithlessness
He soon reached home and, gliding noise
lessly down the hall, paused for moment
at the half-open door of the sitting room.
Mrs. Paine was seated in a low rocker be-
fore the fire. and near her, on the rug. sat
Milton, with one arm cldsped around the
shaggy neck of his dog and his sunny head
pressed lovingly against the animals.
Il. Il 4l,.1 10 ell